If we were having egg nog, I’d wish you a hopeful, healthy and safe New Year!

I have issues with wishing for happiness, but perhaps we can postulate that if one has hope, health and a sense of safety, there’s a good chance they can find happiness as well.

Oh, the egg nog ran out last night. No problem, I’ve got coffee brewing as we speak.

If we were having freshly brewed coffee, I’d tell you I’ve vowed to put 2016 behind me come this year. No ruminating on fears, disappointments, anger, sadness and doomsday prophesizing. I’ll try to build on the many, many positive moments of last year.

So here is a partial list of what I am wishing for and anticipating in 2017:

♦ The continued blessing of sharing my life with a loving family, companionable pets, and myriad hand tools and DIY project supplies.

♦ Opportunities to contribute to preserving and expanding the beauty and health of this planet.

♦ Tenacity to hold to an ethical, honorable and selfless ethos, such that our society can rise above the mires of that prior year I said I wouldn’t ruminate upon (hint: 2016).